Dental x-ray film holder



March 24, 1936. w. J. DQALY 2,035,051

DENTAL X-RAY FILM HOLDER Filed July.l8, 1934 l Wabszer 1.7. D5191 W ax Patented Mar. 24, 1936 UNEED STATES PATENT QFFICE 4 Claims.

The invention relates to devices for mounting and holding dental X-ray films conveniently positioned in the mouth of a patient; and for indicating the direction in which rays from the X- ray apparatus must be directed so as to cause the rays to impinge upon the film in a general direction perpendicular to the plane of the film.

Heretofore, the positioning of a dental X-ray film in the mouth of a patient, and the choice of desired angle in such positioning, has been mostly a matter of chance. Of necessity, the angle for a high palate is quite different from that required for a low palate.

The main object of the present invention is, therefore, to provide a device of this character which automatically adapts itself for the complete range of angular positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this character made of material which can be kept sterile by cold sterilization, and which is constructed to allow the operator to see the teeth of the patient while positioning the film.

A further object is to provide a device of this character which eliminates the necessity of the operator or the patient inserting his or her fingers into the mouth of the patient to hold the film in position, thereby removing possible injury by radiation.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent as the detailed description thereof proceeds.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a dental X-ray film holder embodying the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan of the device shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end elevation viewed from the left hand end of Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 4 is a vertical transverse section taken on the line 44 of Figure 2; and

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the device shown in actual use in the mouth of a patient.

Referring to the drawing, in which similar parts are designated by like numerals:

As shown in the drawing, the device comprises a long base, preferably made of material which can be sterilized by cold sterilization. The base I is shaped to form a comparatively wide portion 2 adapted to be inserted in the mouth of the patient. The portion 2 is provided with a slot 3 extending throughout the greater part of its length. This slot is widened centrally; and a metallic stem 4 is suitably secured at the center of the widened part of the slot, and extends upwardly from the base and substantially at right angles thereto.

The narrow portions of the slot 3 are of such width as to hold the edge of a film pack 5 frictionally therein and substantially perpendicular to the plane of the base I. The stem 4 presses the central part of the film pack 5 against the edge of the slot at the widened portion thereof. For this purpose the distance between either face of the stem 4 and the adjacent side of the widened portion of the slots 3 should be about equal to the thickness of the film pack. With this arrangement the film pack is held frictionally in the slot 3 substantially throughout its entire length and firmly in a position perpendicular to the plane of the upper face of the base I.

The upper face of the base I on opposite sides of the slot 3 is provided with a series of corrugations 6 which serve as friction grips for the teeth of the patient to engage in the operation of holding the film holder properly located against the teeth to be X-rayed. The lower face of the base I is likewise provided with a series of corrugations l which cooperate with the corrugations on the upper face of the holder in holding the film properly gripped against the teeth to be X-rayed.

The wider portion of the base I is connected by a neck 8 to a laterally projecting indicator support 9, which also forms a convenient handle for the operator to grip in positioning the film holding part properly in the mouth of the patient. An indicator [0 is mounted to rotate on the end of the neck 8 by means of a screw II which is screwthreaded axially into the aforesaid neck 8. The bore in the neck 8 for receiving the screw I I is countersung to form a chamber I2 in which a compression spring I3 is arranged around the screw II to form a means for holding the indicator frictionally in any position to which it may be adjusted relative to the support 9.

The indicator II] is provided with a stop member I4 stamped out from the material of the indicator II] and located so as to contact with either side of the support 9 for the purpose of indicating the direction in which the X-ray apparatus must be positionedin order to cause the rays thereof to impinge upon the film in a general direction perpendicular to the film which is positioned in the mouth of the patient.

In the use of this device the film holder with the film pack mounted thereon is placed in the mouth of the patient so that the film rests against the teeth and palate, and the patient bites on the base to cause a firm contact of the sides of the teeth against the film. The indicator is then moved around its pivot pin H until the stop l4 contacts with one side or the other of the handle support 9. In this position the central ray of the X-ray tube is directed parallel to the direction indicated by the indicator I0. It will be understood, of course, that the arrow may be moved to any desired position, and will be held in such position by pressure of the compression spring against the said indicator.

It will be apparent to persons skilled in the art that modifications of the exact structure described in this application may be made. It is to be understood that such changes are to be considered as coming within the spirit of the invention as described in the claims appended hereto.

What I claim is:

1. A holder for dental X-ray film packs comprising a plate having a substantially plane surface and adapted to have a part thereof inserted within the mouth of a patient, said plate being provided with a slot extending lengthwise thereof and adapted to receive a film pack, and means projecting from the bottom of said slot between the side walls thereof and permanently secured therein, and cooperating with said walls to hold a film pack frictionally positioned in said slot and substantially perpendicular to the said surface.

2. A holder for dental X-ray film packs comprising a base plate having a substantially plane surface and adapted to have a part thereof inserted within the mouth of a patient, said base plate being provided with a slot extending lengthwise thereof and adapted to receive a film pack, and means projecting from the bottom of said slot between the side walls thereof and permanently secured therein, and cooperating with said walls to hold a film pack frictionally posiand means projecting from the bottom of said slot between the side walls thereof and permanently secured therein, and cooperating with said walls to hold a film pack frictionally positioned in said slot and substantially perpendicular to the said plate, an indicator permanently and rotatably mounted on one end of said plate with its axis of rotation in substantial alinement with said slot, means for holding said indicator in any position of angularly adjustment on said plate, and a stop on said indicator for limiting its rotation in opposite directions.

4. A holder for dental X-ray film packs comprising a base plate adapted to have a part thereof inserted within the mouth of a patient,

said base plate being provided with a slot extending lengthwise thereof, and means projecting from said slot and cooperating with said slot to hold a film pack frictionally positioned in said slot and substantially perpendicular to the Said plate, an indicator rotatably mounted on one end of said plate, means for holding said indicator in any position of angularly adjustment on said plate, a stop on said indicator for limiting its rotatioin in opposite directions, the opposite sides of said plate being provided with corrugations adapted to form a friction grip for the teeth of the patient.

WEBSTER J. DALY. 

